Buckle



July 21, 1942. G. J. GILMORE 2,290,234 BUCKLE Filed May 1, 1941 Patented July 21, 1942 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUCKLE George J. Gilmore, Chicago, 111.

Application May 1, 1941, Serial No. 391,273

11 Claims.

This invention relates, generally, to buckles and buckle structures, and is particularly adaptable for use in connection with tire chains of the type generally known as emergency chains. Altho, applicable to many other uses, it is particularly adapted for use in connection with tire chains of the type, generally, known as emergency chains wherein one or more of the chains are adapted to be secured to the wheels of a vehicle without it being necessary to move the vehicle or to raise the wheel; and for convenience the present invention will be illustrated and described in association with such a tire chain structure.

A general object of my invention is to provide a buckle structure of a novel and improved form which is sturdy, rigid in construction, efiicient in operation and use, is easily manipulated, and is one that will produce a secure hold and gripping union between parts to be detachably connected, as well as one which may be manufactured in quantity production very economically.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a buckle structure which, when used in connection with strap means, will permit of tightening the unit containing such a buckle structure around or about another structure to which it may be removably attached, requiring but the minimum force or effort to be exerted; the buckle structure being provided with slack taking up and tightening means so as to secure the strap and buckle bearing structure around the respective structure to which it may be attached, firmly, rigidly, tautly and in such a manner as to prevent creep of the buckle and strap structure unit with respect to the unit to which it may be attached, especially in wheel structures which are constantly subjected to motion and where creep is, naturally a result to be expected.

Another object of my invention is to provide articulate buckle means in connection with articulate securing means for releasably locking the said articulate buckle means.

Another object of my invention is to provide hasp means which is provided with means for holding, in a preliminary manner, rather firmly, the ends of a strap means, and provides a firm grip thus enabling the buckle means, thruout its articulate movement to take up the slack in the strap means and furnish a mechanical advantage thru the leverage tightening means exerted on the said strap means, in connection with a body member to which the strap and buckle bearing structure may be attached.

Another object of my invention is to provide articulate or pivoted snap locking means for-releasably locking the said hasp means with respect to the said buckle means in closed position.

Another object of my invention is to provide rotatable and independently free moving hinge mounting means which will aid materially when the said hasp means is closed with respect to the said buckle means, in order to aid and facilitate the closing movement threof, when the slack or the final tightening of the strap is to be effected.

Other objects, features and advantages resident in my invention, will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawing and the ensuing description in which:

Fig. 1 depicts a fragmentary top plan view of an anti-skid chain unit wherein, is more particularly shown my buckle invention in connection with the strap member or strap means and the chain means usually comprising such a unit.

Fig. 2 is a transversal cross-sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to the view indicated in Figure 2 except that it shows the hasp member of my buckle invention in open position ready to permit the strap means to be initially laced therethru.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the view shown in Figure 1 indicating the way the strap means is primarily secured to the hasp means and in engaged position therewith, ready for the final closing and locking of the hasp means in the position wherein it is to take up the added slack and elasticity prevalent in the strap structure in order to produce a tautly secured chain unit around a wheel or tire structure.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary and enlarged top plan view of a modified form of the locking means used in connection with my invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary end view looking in the direction 66 of Figure 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View of a slightly modified form of my invention.

Referring, more particularly, to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, my invention is, generally, designated by the numeral 1 and comprises a body portion 8 having two extended arms 9 provided with slots ID in order to receive the connecting chain comprised of links H and I2 respectively.

The member 8 is further provided with the upright lugs l3 which are suitably drilled in order to receive the articulate pin member l5 and permits the same to rotate loosely therein. The pin member I5 is provided with an enlarged shoulder portion 21 which is secured within the lugs [4 of the hasp member and the lugs 13 of the buckle member 8 prior to their upright formation.

The holes in the lugs l3 and M respectively are substantially larger than the reduced end portion of the pivot member l5 so as to permit the same to rotate freely and easily when in confinement between the lugs I3 and I4 and also permit the hasp member 2| to articulate freely thereabout.

The buckle member 8 may be suitably curved at its bottom portion congruent with the arcuate curvature of a tire cross-section in order to fit the cross-sectional shape of a tire more securely and stay put when in engagement therewith. In opposed relationship with the lugs I3, the buckle member 3 is provided with lugs 26 which are adapted to receive the pivot pin member 29 in order to secure thereto the U shaped member 24 having hinge portions 25 pivotably secured to the lugs 26 by virtue of said pin member 29.

The hasp member 2| is provided with ledges 28 and 35, resulting in openings therebetween, in order to permit the strap means It (see Figunes 3 and 4) to allow its end I! to be laced thru, initially as shown in Figure 3, and then to follow around the body 21 of the roller Hi, the portion of the strap adhering thereto designated l8, and then to be laced thru under the portion 35 and over the portion 20, and down under the front portion 22 of the hasp member in order to secure the strap firmly against movement with respect to the said hasp member, when the said hasp member 2| is being moved in a downward direction, as in Figure 4, preparatory to taking up the slack existing in the strap member I6, and thus make for a final locking engagement of the strap structure with a tire or other similar structure. The portion l9 of the strap interwoven over and under the ledges 35 and 2B furnishing a secure anti-skid engagement of strap and hasp.

The lip portion 23 is provided in order to permit the hasp and buckle structures, respectively, to remain in locked engagement, and to hold against opening assuring a safe locking by retaining the same against accidental opening or disengagement or the element 24; the resiliency of the folded strap member l6 and its end I! (see Fig. 2) aiding and maintaining the said locking engagement under a resilient tension and permitting opening of the buckle and hasp structure only when the hasp is depressed, the resilient property of the strap member l6, thus permitting the member 24 to clear the lip 23 of the hasp for opening the buckle when it is desired to remove the strap and buckle bearing structure from an article to which it may be attached.

In Figure 5, I show a modified form of my in vention wherein the locking means is made in the manner indicated in that view. The hasp member 2| is similar to the hasp member shown in Figure 1 except that it is not provided with a locking lip 23 but a curved portion 30 to facilitate lacing the strap therethru. However, it is provided with the preliminary locking ledges and 28 to permit, initially, locking the strap ends I! against movement within the hasp preparatory to the final tightening operation. In this instance, the hasp member 2| is suitably bored in order to receive the C shaped wire member 3| having engaging portions 32 secured to the suitably bored portion of the hasp 2| and which are peened over as at 33 in order to prevent accidental displacement of the said member 3| with respect to the hasp 2|.

The lugs 26 in the body portion or the buckle portion 8 (as shown in Fig. 6) are provided with grooves 34, so as to permit a locking engagement when the lock member 3| is snapped over the ledges 26, being made so as to require a slight effort to snap the locking member 3| over the promontory 38 clearly shown in Fig. 6 and a similar effort to open the same when it is required to disengage the hasp member from its attachment to the buckle member.

In Figure 7, I show a slightly modified form of my articulate element used in connection with securing the hasp means to the buckle means, and used effectively to function in the same manner as the articulate means shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, except that instead of using a pin l5 having an enlarged body 21, I use a pin 36 of uniform diameter secured to the lugs Id of the hasp member and peened over at the ends as indicated in order to prevent displacement from assembly with the said hasp member, whereas also I confine, in assembly, over the said pin member 36, a tube or roller member 31, which is of a slightl smaller length than the span between the upright ledges |3 of the buckle member 8. This permits a roller bearing effect to be injected into the operation of the slack taking up means thus further facilitating the operation, attachment, and practical use of my invention.

Altho, in removing the lock means, the hasp means is pressed against the buckle means, the resilient quality existent in the strap member l6, permits sufiicient compression therebetween, in order to enable the member 24 to be releasably disengaged from the buckle when the hasp is swung open and the end H is removed from laced engagement with the hasp member, and also for removal from engagement with the buckle member whence the device may be easily and readily removed. In like manner in the improvement shown in Figures 5 and 6 the locking member 3| is caused to snap over the slight promontory 38 thus permitting the strap member to be removed as it would be in the structure of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Altho, I have shown, in illustration and described rather succinctly, the nature, features, and advantages of a preferred form of my invention, and inasmuch as I believe it to be susceptible of many alterations, modifications, and improvements, I reserve the right to all such alterations, modifications and improvements that come within the scope and spirit of this disclosure, as well as within the purview of the foregoing description; my invention to be limited only by the subjoined claims.

Having thus disclosed and revealed my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a device of the character described, slack tightening means comprising, hasp means adapted to receive and hold releasably strap means, buckle means articulately secured to said hasp means adapted to receive slidably and adjustably the said strap means, pin means articulately securing the said hasp means to the said buckle means, and roller bearing means secured to the said pin means.

2. In a device of the character described, slack tightening means comprising, hasp means adapted to receive and hold releasably strap means, buckle means articulately secured to said hasp means adapted to receive slidably and adjustably the said strap means, roller bearing means articulately secured to said buckle means and to the said hasp means adapted to secure articulately the said hasp means with respect to the said buckle means, and articulate locking means secured to the said buckle means adapted to secure releasably the said hasp means and the said buckle means.

3. In a device of the character described, slack tightening means comprising, hasp means adapted to receive and hold releasably strap means, buckle means articulately secured to said hasp means adapted to receive slidably and adjustably the said strap means, and roller bearing means articulately secured to said hasp means and to the said buckle means adapted to secure articulately the said hasp means with respect to the said buckle means, the said roller bearing means comprising, a roller member having a body portion and reduced end portions.

4. In a device of the character described, slack tightening means comprising, hasp means adapted to receive and hold releasably strap means, buckle means articulately secured to the said hasp means adapted to receive slidably and adjustably the said strap means, and roller bearing means articulately secured to said hasp means and to the said buckle means adapted to secure articulately the said hasp means with respect to the said buckle means, the said roller bearing means comprising, a pin member rotatably mounted in said buckle means and the said hasp means, and a roller member mounted rotatably on the said pin member.

5. In a device of the character described, slack tightening means comprising, hasp means adapted to receive and hold releasably strap means, buckle means articulately secured to the said hasp means adapted to receive slidably and adjustably the said strap means, roller bearing means articulately secured to the said hasp means and to the said buckle means adapted to secure articulately the said hasp means with respect to the said buckle means, and articulate locking means adapted to secure releasably the said hasp means and the said buckle means, the said articulate locking means comprising, an articulate member secured to the said buckle means and adapted to engage the free end of the said hasp means.

6. In a device of the character described, slack tightening means comprising, hasp means adapted to receive and hold releasably strap means, buckle means articulately secured to said hasp means adapted to receive slidably and adjustably the said strap means, roller bearing means articulately secured to the said hasp means and to the said buckle means adapted to secure articulately the said hasp means with respect to the said buckle means, and articulate locking means adapted to secure releasably the free end of said hasp means and the said buckle means, the said articulate locking means comprising, a C shaped member articulately secured to the free end of said hasp means, and notched means provided on the said buckle means adapted to engage rele'asably the said 0 shaped member. 7

'7. In a device of the character described, slack tightening means comprising, hasp means adapted to receive and hold releasably strap means, buckle means articulately secured to said hasp means adapted to receive slidably and adjustably the said strap means, roller bearing means articulately secured to the said hasp means and to the said buckle means adapted to secure articulately the said hasp means with respect to the said buckle means, and articulate locking means secured to the said slack tightening means adapted to secure releasably the free end of said hasp means and the said buckle means, the said hasp means provided with means adapted to secure strap means removably thereto.

8. A device of the character described comprising, buckle means, roller means articulately secured to the said buckle means, hasp means articulately secured to the said roller means, and articulate locking means secured to the said device adapted to secure the free end of said hasp means to the said buckle means.

9. In a device of the character described having hasp means articulately secured to buckle means, U shaped locking means articulately secured to said buckle means and adapted to secure the free end of said hasp means.

19. In a device of the character described having hasp means articulately secured to buckle means, C shaped locking means articulately secured to said hasp means, and notched means provided on said buckle means adapted to releasably engage the said 0 shaped locking means.

11. In a device of the character described comprised of hasp means articulately secured to buckle means, articulate locking means secured to one of said means and adapted to secure releasably thereto the said other means.

GEORGE J. GILMORE. 

